Manchester City v Huddersfield Town: David Wagner feels pain of touchline ban

He will watch the fifth-round replay from the stands after being hit with a two-game ban by the Football Association for his part in the ugly scenes towards the end of last month’s derby win over Leeds United.

Wagner, who was also fined £6,000 by the governing body, admitted one misconduct charge and was found guilty of another after clashing with Leeds head coach Garry Monk in the aftermath of Michael Hefele’s late winner.

It means Town’s head coach will be absent from the touchline for both tonight’s televised Cup tie and Saturday’s hugely important home league clash with Newcastle United.

Wagner felt the punishment was harsh and admits it will take some of the shine off pitting his wits against Guardiola tonight for a second time in 11 days.

“I know the phrase (feeling like a kid in a sweet shop) and maybe I would be like that if I was able to be on the touchline,” he said.

“But, for me, the sweet shop looks closed and I am watching from the window.”

However, when it comes to whether Huddersfield’s bid to book a quarter-final tie with Middlesbrough will be unduly affected by his absence from the technical area, the Huddersfield chief insists that will not be the case.

“So many things happen in this world that I don’t agree with or understand,” added the German. “I am just happy I am able to still be in this country, they did not send me away.

“I have to accept it and go forward. Plus, we should not make it out to be a bigger problem than it is. I am able to be with the group before the game and at half-time. Some managers like (Derby County’s) Steve McClaren do this every game, watch a big part from the stand.

“It will be a new experience for me, I have no idea how it will feel. If I had the choice, I would be where I usually am, but we will handle it.

“The players will not be affected. First of all, I know I can totally trust Christoph (Buehler, assistant) and Hughesy (Andrew Hughes, first-team coach) that they will do what has to be done on the touchline.

“We will be in contact during the game through an earpiece.

“From the players’ perspective, we always say to them that we want us on the touchline to be independent of what we can’t affect. It will be something new, but I am totally sure that the players will focus on what they have to do on the grass.”

Monk, who has already served a touchline ban this season after being sent to the stands at Bristol City in September, was hit with a one-game ban after admitting his own charge of misconduct following a clash that was sparked by the Leeds head coach barging into Wagner after he had run on to the pitch to celebrate Hefele’s winner with his team.

Asked last night about his own punishment, Wagner replied: “I don’t agree or understand it.

“But I have to live with it. In my opinion, it was harsh and not understandable.”

As happened in the goalless draw with City at the John Smith’s, Wagner will ring the changes tonight with Saturday’s showdown against Newcastle in mind.

With promotion worth £100m plus, Town’s priority has to be the league and, with that in mind, it is tempting to consider tonight’s replay as an inconvenience despite more than 7,000 fans being expected to make the trip across the Pennines.

“The Cup will not distract us,” said Wagner. “My personal feeling is one of excitement.

“This is going to be a great occasion in a different competition. I say to the players, ‘Be brave and see what happens’.

“To play in a different competition gives you a special feeling because you can play with freedom. It is an extraordinary occasion that everyone is excited about.

“If we can get as close as possible to our perfect performance, we can (hurt Manchester City).

“This is going to be a great occasion in the oldest competition in football and we play at the Etihad Stadium. There is nothing better than this.

“We will play with total freedom, and whatever happens against Manchester City will have no influence on what happens next weekend.”

With Wagner forced to watch tonight’s tie from the stand, the big question is whether any of his coaching staff will be tempted to follow his example from the Leeds game and race down the touchline if Huddersfield net a late winner.

“Christoph can do it if he has enough money,” laughed Wagner.

Last six games: Manchester City WWWWDW Huddersfield Town WWWDWD.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Last time: Manchester City 0 Huddersfield Town 1; November 29, 1999; Division One.